The Erosion of Trust: How the Pursuit of Profit is Undermining Our Humanity

In recent years, we've witnessed a disturbing trend: the erosion of trust in institutions, particularly news outlets and social media. This decline is not only alarming but also has far-reaching consequences for our society.

The Biased Moderation of Truth

At the heart of this issue lies the biased moderation of truth. Social media platforms, tasked with regulating the vast amounts of content on their sites, often rely on algorithms and human moderators to make decisions about what information to promote and what to suppress. However, these decisions are frequently influenced by biases, resulting in the disproportionate restriction of marginalized voices and the amplification of dominant narratives.

The recent BBC research finding that Facebook inhibits Palestinian news but boosts Israel's news is a stark example of this phenomenon. This disparity in content moderation raises concerns about censorship, the suppression of dissenting voices, and the perpetuation of echo chambers.

The Commodification of Humanity

The erosion of trust is not only a result of biased moderation but also a symptom of a larger issue: the commodification of humanity. Our personal data, relationships, and even our welfare and healthcare have become mere commodities to be exploited for profit.

The pursuit of profit and growth has become the primary driver of our society, often at the expense of our humanity. We're reduced to mere consumers, our worth measured by our purchasing power and our ability to generate revenue.

Reclaiming Our Humanity

To combat these issues, it's essential that we demand more from our news sources, support independent media outlets, and promote media literacy. We must also recognize the value of nuanced, empathetic public discourse and strive for a more compassionate, equitable, and just world.

Ultimately, our collective future depends on our ability to reclaim our humanity, redefine what we value, and prioritize the well-being of people and the planet over profit and growth. We must recognize that our worth extends far beyond our economic value and that our humanity is not for sale.